WCD Minister Smriti Irani Says No Need For Menstruation Paid Leave Policy, Internet Stands Divided

Union Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) Smriti Irani opposed the ‘paid leave policy’ for menstruation recently on being questioned by Rashtriya Janata Dal member Manoj Kumar Jha on the menstrual hygiene policy.

Smriti Irani said, “As a menstruating woman, menstruation and the menstruation cycle is not a handicap, it’s a natural part of women’s life journey…We should not propose issues where women are denied equal opportunities just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation."

Image Courtesy: Smriti Irani/Instagram

In a written response submitted to the upper house, the minister also highlighted the case of girls and women facing severe dysmenorrhea or similar complaints and expressed that these health issues were manageable with medication.

“However, the issue of menstruation and its associated activities are surrounded by silence, often treated with shame and associated with social taboos that restrict mobility, freedom, and access to normal activities for menstruating persons, and many a time leads to their harassment and social exclusion. It becomes even more sensitive when a girl/ menstruating person is unaware of the changes that she undergoes emotionally and physically while facing her menstrual cycle for the first time," it further read.

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The minister shared that a draft has been prepared for the menstrual hygiene policy with all stakeholders. Smriti Irani further in the House spoke about how the centre has schemes to promote menstrual hygiene among girls in the age group of 10-19.

Smriti Irani’s Disapproval On Paid Menstrual Leave: Social Media Reactions

Such A Practical Move

While the majority of netizens questioned Irani's statement on the menstruation paid leave policy, others hailed her for making a fair decision. Many social media users felt that the decision would prevent potential drawbacks like gender discrimination, abuse of policy, unequal treatment, and stigma among others.

The comment threads also had social media users decoding the minister's statement. Netizens stressed how the statement was against a 'paid leave' policy and not menstruation leave for women.

Others also observed that since menstruation was painful and caused sickness, women could make use of sick leaves since they worked out pretty much the same way.

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It Doesn't Make Sense

Smriti Irani's statement on menstruation didn't go down well with advocates for menstrual leave. Many felt that menstruation was generalised by the minister and it was unfair to women who struggled to get through the bleeding days of the month.

Having a paid menstrual leave policy will also make many employers prefer men over women to save on the pay felt by many social media users. Others questioned why maternity leaves were offered when pregnancy and childbirth are part of every woman's journey and not a handicap.

Women also expressed how menstruation impacted their ability to work effectively. Netizens also urged that handicap shouldn't be the only criterion for giving paid leave to women. Even though menstruation pain could be subjected, it could be looked at more sensitively.

Other Indian State With Menstrual Leave Policies

While the Centre has disapproved of the 'paid menstrual leave' policy, states like Bihar and Kerala already have the policy in place. Month-long protests back in 1992 led to the former Chief Minister of Bihar approving of menstrual leave for women government employees granted two days period leave per month, up to the age of 45.

This year, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government will be giving a menstrual leave to all female students studying in all state universities under the Department of Higher Education.

Soon after the statement came out and made it to social media via different platforms, digital users flooded it with their take on the minister's response. While some felt disappointed in Smriti Irani, others praised the Bharatiya Janata Party leader for making a practical step. With Smriti Irani's statement coming in, likely, that the comment wars won't end anytime soon.

What are your thoughts? Do you think the current social media scene has the power to influence the Centre's decision? Well, only time will tell. Meanwhile, do you think the Union Minister's big 'no' to paid menstrual leave policy is a practical move or an inconsiderate decision? Share your thoughts with us on our social media handles.